In the span of the last 36 hours, the Indian Navy has showcased remarkable prowess with not one but two successful rescue operations. On Tuesday, the Navy’s INS Sumitra carried out a daring anti-piracy mission off the east coast of Somalia, saving a crew of 19 Pakistani nationals from the clutches of 11 Somali pirates on the hijacked fishing vessel Al Naeemi. This followed another daring mission on Monday, where the Navy rescued 17 crew members from the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel FV Iman.
These events mark the latest chapters in a series of maritime incidents that have unfolded in the Arabian Sea since December of the previous year. From piracy to missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels, the region has been a hotbed of challenges. The most recent missile attack targeted the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Marlin Luanda.
Indian Navy Fights Piracy
The INS Sumitra, a warship armed with determination, intercepted the distressed Al Naeemi, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by the pirates. Following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the Navy coerced the pirates to ensure the safe release of the 19 Pakistani crew members and the vessel itself. Confirmatory boarding was then undertaken to sanitize and assess the well-being of the crew previously held captive by the Somali pirates.
Both rescue operations unfolded in the southern Arabian Sea, approximately 850 nautical miles west of Kochi. The strategic location played a crucial role in preventing the hijacked fishing vessels from being exploited as mother ships for further acts of piracy on merchant vessels.
In a statement, the Navy declared, “INS Sumitra, over the course of less than 36 hours, through swift, persistent and relentless efforts has rescued two hijacked Fishing Vessels along with 36 Crew (17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani) in Southern Arabian Sea approximately 850 nm West of Kochi, and prevented misuse of these Fishing Vessels as Mother Ships for further acts of Piracy on Merchant Vessels.”
Adding to these heroic feats, the Indian Navy’s INS Visakhapatnam swiftly responded to a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged MV Genco Picardy on January 18. The guided missile destroyer, currently on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, intercepted the vessels to provide immediate assistance after a drone attack on the night of January 17.
The INS Sumitra, an indigenous offshore patrol vessel, has been actively deployed for anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the waters east of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. Its rapid response in thwarting hijacking attempts and rescuing crews highlights the Navy’s commitment to maintaining safety and order in these crucial maritime zones.
In a separate incident, Indian Navy’s marine commandos, MARCOS, demonstrated their expertise by foiling a hijacking attempt in the north Arabian Sea. The team boarded a Liberia-flagged vessel, conducting “sanitization” operations and successfully rescuing its crew of 21, including 15 Indians.
Background
The Indian Navy’s vigilance against piracy is not a recent development. Since 2008, the Navy has maintained a continuous 365-day, 24/7 anti-piracy patrol. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in safeguarding international sea lanes of communication for global maritime trade.
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Credit: Indian Navy
Reflecting on its achievements, in 2011, the Navy successfully apprehended four pirate motherships and 120 pirates in the eastern Arabian Sea, rescuing 73 fishermen and crew members. Although incidents saw a decline in 2013-14, a resurgence occurred in 2017 in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast, leading to reported successful hijackings by 2020.
The Navy’s escorting of 413 Indian-flagged ships and 2,041 foreign vessels between 2011-2018 has significantly contributed to this effort. By effectively controlling piracy in the Arabian Sea, the Navy has managed to push back the high-risk area (HRA), resulting in reduced maritime insurance rates and hazardous pay for crew members.
With more than 10 warships presently deployed in the Arabian Sea, including INS Kochi, INS Mormugao, INS Kolkata, INS Chennai, and a Talwar Class frigate, the Navy employs a multifaceted approach.
The P8I maritime patrol aircraft, MQ-9B Predator drones, and Dornier aircraft actively engage in monitoring the region. The force is also involved in the active investigation of vessels in the Arabian Sea, including boarding of dhows, showcasing a holistic strategy to address potential threats.